Board members with local water agencies — often politicians or politically connected people — don’t always bring a lot of relevant expertise to the job. They generally meet no more than a few times a month, basically to bless staff recommendations. They do not have demanding positions.

Against this backdrop, the recent 6-1 vote by members of the Sweetwater Authority board to give themselves access to heavily subsidized health insurance for their dependents is a pathetic and cynical act. The authority, which serves 190,000 people in National City, Bonita and parts of Chula Vista, approved significant rate hikes last year despite public criticism of compensation practices that provide authority workers with average salary and benefits of $176,000. Now board members will be able get family health insurance plans for $76 or less a month that cost the district at least $1,186.

Who are the shameful six? South Bay Irrigation District Directors José F. Cerda, Jose Preciado, Hector Martinez and Steve Castaneda, National City Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis and National City Councilman Jerry Cano. No, not all can take immediate advantage of this giveaway. But they’ve set a precedent for future compensation of Sweetwater board members.

The South Bay area already is saddled with a recent historyofpolitical sleaziness. The last thing its residents need is a fresh black eye. But that’s just what the Sweetwater Authority board has provided.